Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that stern action should be taken against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackerey for his anti-north Indian  migrants from Bihar and UP in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra) tirade since the latter's provocative statements were divisive for the country.

Nitish, while talking to mediapersons here at the airport before embarking on the 10th leg of his Seva Yatra, also said that the ruling establishment in Maharashtra, implying the Congress and NCP government there, has been giving 'shah (prodding and support)' to Thackeray.

Condemning Thackeray and the support he was getting from the Maharashtra ruling establishment, Nitish said that it was a fundamental right of migrants to live and work there for their livelihood. He added that migrants should continue to stay and work in that state, and also said strong action should be taken against people who create disturbances.

According to him, elections to the BMC were in the process of being held, and, therefore, Thackeray had made provocative statement on the prodding and support of the Congress. Since Congress has its government in Maharashtra, it was in a position to take strong action against Thackeray, but the government there has not been taking any action against him.

Nitish also said that the statements of Thackeray would not induce fear among the people of Bihar and other north Indians, since every Indian national had a right to live and work in Mumbai and Maharashtra. The chief minister also pointed out that construction work in Maharashtra was adversely affected after migrants started to return from there.

Nitish said that it was unfortunate that malnutrition continued to remain a major problem in the country, which even Prime Minister had accepted. He added that states should be allowed to frame their own plans as per their needs and the money required should be provided to the states.

Courtsey : TOI,Patna